How to Make Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

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Looking for a bold and flavorful twist on pasta salad? This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad combines creamy, zesty, and slightly smoky flavors in a way that’s sure to impress. Inspired by elote (Mexican street corn), this recipe is loaded with sweet corn, a tangy dressing, avocado, cherry tomatoes, black beans, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese—or cotija, if you prefer.

🌽 Why You’ll Love This Pasta Salad

  • Flavor-Packed: Inspired by the popular Mexican street food, this pasta salad has the perfect mix of creamy, smoky, and tangy notes.
  • Quick & Easy: Ready in about 30 minutes, making it great for weeknights, picnics, BBQs, or potlucks.
  • Customizable: Easily swap ingredients to suit your taste or pantry staples.

🥘 Ingredients

  • Rotini pasta – or bowtie, penne, or any small pasta shape
  • Sweet corn – fresh is best, but frozen or fire-roasted corn works too
  • Mayonnaise – use real mayo for the creamiest texture (avoid Miracle Whip)
  • Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – for smoky heat
  • Herbs & spices – smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and chopped fresh cilantro
  • Fresh vegetables – cherry tomatoes (halved), diced red onion, diced avocado, optional minced jalapeño for heat
  • Feta cheese – or substitute with creamy cotija or queso fresco
  • Black beans – or substitute with pinto beans

🥣 How to Make Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Step 1: Cook and cool the pasta.
Step 2: Grill or sauté the corn (optional for extra flavor), then let it cool. Use a sharp knife to cut the kernels off the cob.
Step 3: In a bowl, mix the mayo, chipotle in adobo, and all spices to create the creamy dressing.
Step 4: Toss everything together in a large mixing bowl—pasta, veggies, corn, beans, cheese, and dressing. Mix gently until well combined.
Step 5: Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving for best flavor.

✅ Tips & Variations

  • Grill the corn for an extra layer of smoky flavor.
  • Add diced bell peppers for color and crunch—red, yellow, or orange work best.
  • Make it spicy by adding extra chipotle or fresh jalapeño.
  • Use cotija cheese if you want a more traditional Mexican flavor.
  • Storage: Keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
  • Leftover beans? Freeze them in a sealed bag for future meals.

This easy Mexican street corn pasta salad is perfect as a side dish or a vegetarian main course. It’s refreshing, satisfying, and brings bold Mexican-inspired flavors to your table—no grill required.

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